1. Need to Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
The goal of nutritional intervention is to achieve good immune health and withstand prescribed cancer treatment on a timely basis. Different food groups provide different nutrients so that overall good health is achieved. Whole-grain or whole-wheat cereal, breads, pastas, and side dishes like brown rice provide the energy, B vitamins and folate. Lean poultry, fish and meat provide the protein for healing. Tofu, beans and legumes give a meatless protein option. Colorful fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C, beta carotene, fiber and lots of antioxidants to retard the cell damage.
2. Tailor-Made Diet Plans for Symptom Management
Tailor-made flexible diet plans help manage side effects of ongoing treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy or post surgery. For symptoms of nausea and vomiting, try smaller portions and non-aromatic foods. Use zesty flavors for sleeping taste buds and alter food consistency for swallowing issues past radiation therapy. For every symptom, there is a flexible diet plan to keep up the nutritional status. Be creative with preparation, timing and food selection to be successful. And don't be shy--hold out your hand for help. A registered dietitian will be there to rescue you.
3. Outside Help to Fill In the Gaps
Use one-a-day multivitamin to add on what has been missed from food. However, this is not a substitute for any food. Synergy of all different nutrients within a food gives you the disease-fighting capabilities. Mega doses of a single vitamin or mineral will cause more harm than good. Drink supplements or calorically dense foods like a milkshake or a pudding may help to get all the additional calories that you need with ongoing treatments or when there is no energy to eat or prepare food. Every bite will help to keep up the energy and hydration so necessary for timely delivery of the ongoing treatments. Keep your clinician in the loop if you are using any alternative treatment. Oncologists by far are very much attune to alternative therapies. Complementing effects from all combined therapies is what we all want.
4. Keep Up the Drinking
Water, juice, milk, tea, green tea, soup, Jell-O, milkshake--that's what I meant when I referred to drinking. Dehydration status will bring on lethargy and lack of energy and, in severe cases, a trip to the hospital to get intravenous fluids. In cases of dehydration, treatments will be stopped. You absolutely want timely delivery and appropriate doses of treatment to achieve the necessary results.
5. Practice the art of eating
Food needs to be enjoyed. A simple meal eaten with friends will wake up the appetite. A romantic ambiance will evoke happy memories and a desire to enjoy the meal. A sit-down family dinner will help reflect the most precious gift you have. Do not use food for fights and rewards; it breaks down the honest emotional communications. Celebrate every meal every day for all its promise.
